Former Turkish football club president sentenced to 43 months in prison for punching referee

By Hong Duy November 12, 2024 | 12:39 am PT

Former Ankaragucu president Faruk Koca has been sentenced to three years and seven months in prison after physically assaulting referee Umut Meler after a Turkish Super Lig match in late 2023.

Faruk Koca, president of Ankaragucu throws a punch to the referee Halil Umut Meler after the Turkish Super Lig match between Ankaragucu and Rizespor at Eryaman Stadium in Ankara, Turkiye on Dec. 11, 2023. Photo by Anadolu via AFP

Faruk Koca, president of Ankaragucu, throws a punch at referee Halil Umut Meler after the Turkish Super Lig match between Ankaragucu and Rizespor at Eryaman Stadium in Ankara, Turkiye on Dec. 11, 2023. Photo by Anadolu via AFP

The court in Ankara found Koca guilty of intentionally causing injury to the referee and sentenced him to 43 months in prison on Monday. Koca was also convicted of threatening the referee and violating Turkey’s law on preventing violence in sports. Three others involved in the assault also received prison sentences from one to five years.

Koca is expected to appeal. He was briefly detained last year before being released on bail. Previously, lawyers representing the defendants asked for an acquittal, saying they attacked the referee due to "unfair provocation".

The altercation occurred on Dec. 11, 2023, after a 1-1 draw between Ankaragucu and Rizespor. Koca, accompanied by several men, stormed the pitch and punched Meler in the face. After Meler fell down, the group of men continued the assault, kicking him in the head. Meler sustained a fractured eye socket and was hospitalized. Koca was subsequently arrested and forced to resign as Ankaragucu president.

The incident sparked international outrage, leading the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) to suspend the league for weeks. The TFF issued a lifetime ban to Koca, fined Ankaragucu $66,000 and five home games without spectators.

President of Turkey Recep Erdogan condemned the assault, asserting that violence has no place in Turkish sports and expressing his wishes for Meler's recovery. FIFA president Gianni Infantino was also shocked, calling for respect toward referees from all players, coaches and officials.

This incident is one of several recent controversies in Turkish football. In March 2024, a riot occurred after Trabzonspor fans invaded the pitch following a loss to Fenerbahce. Two months later, Fenerbahce fielded their U19 team and withdrew from the Turkish Super Cup after Galatasaray scored in the 50th second of the game.

Two weeks ago, Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho was fined and banned for one game after implying there's corruption in the league following Fenerbahce's 3-2 victory over Trabzonspor.